Carol Ngawati re-appointed to Te Huinga Tākaro Board

Māori Touch NZ wishes to congratulate Carol Ngawati on her re-appointment as a board member for Te Huinga Tākaro o Aotearoa. Carol, Life Member and Kairangi (Patron) of Māori Touch NZ, continues to serve this kaupapa to unite, develop and grow Māori sport in Aotearoa.

Te Huinga Tākaro o Aotearoa held their first hui wānanga at the weekend in Rotorua, hosting members from the various māori sport organisations and Sport NZ kaimahi. Māori Touch NZ were represented by Harley Wall and Kelly Panapa. The weekend was productive with a variety of speakers and workshops, to help build a collective commitment to Kōtahitanga and capacity building for the future.

Maria Ngawati (Hāpai te Hauora) facilitated a thought-provoking session on our value proposition and our unique contribution to Sport. Leonie Matoe (Manager, DIA) hosted a funding workshop which was well received, with an opportunity to develop a roadmap for accessing funding across the MNSO's. 

There were also presentations from Māori codes sharing success stories of recent years. Māori Football spoke about their growing relationships with Australian Indigenous Football and Hawaiian Football. Māori Golf shared insights into their partnership with Golf New Zealand, which has led to the establishment of two Māori golf development manager roles. Lastly, Aotearoa NZ Māori Rugby League shared learnings from their relationships with both NZRL and NRL through the All-Stars kaupapa.

Te Huinga Tākaro Board (elected 2023):

• Mark Tito (Māori Golf)
• Carol Ngawati (Māori Touch)
• Diana Kawana (Māori Hockey)
• Titia Graham (Aotearoa NZ Māori Rugby League)
• Ngakohu Papuni (Aotearoa Māori Poirewa/Volleyball)
• Hera Clarke (Aotearoa Māori Netball)
• Michelle Lee (Te Hapori Hōiho)

The Board will help provide strategic direction to the Te Huinga Tākaro Operations team: Crete Wana (Kaihautū), Mita Graham (Kaituruki) and Nikita Price (Kaiwhakahaere).For more information, visit the Te Huinga Tākaro website.